Correct me if I'm wrong: With an iPod Photo and just the PAC AAI-NIS, the only functions of iPod i can control from factory head unit and/or steering wheel is on/off?

With the addition of SWI-X, I can then map volume-up/down, track-up/down, scan-up/down, and presets 1-6 to functions of iPod via IR remote?

Is it possible to display song/album information via the HU?

Which of the above options charge the iPod? Is it true that all options (with PAC components) require plugging into the headphone jack of the iPod?

How easy is it to navigate around songs or playlists from the HU? Does anyone have a setup where the iPod is totally hidden away or otherwise non-accessible, such as in the back trunk?

 

1) yes - on/off, but also volume
2) with SWI-X & AAI-NIS, yes additional buttons can generate IR signals (when in Aux1 or Aux2)
3) No way I know of to display IPOD data on HU display
4) None of those options charge the IPOD.
5) You can get a Belkin charger for IPOD that will allow sound from bottom plug (supposedly better audio quality) AND it will auto pause the IPOD when car turns off. It's pretty nice.
6) Don't know about navigating with SWI-X as I don't use it for an IPOD. My G35 has a carPC and I have the AAI-NIS and SWI-X and use it to control the PC. My wife's Odyssey has the IPOD with Belkin and the IPOD sits in a cup holder (another Belkin thing).

 

1) The answer the the actual question is no. The AAI-NIS does not control any functions of the IPOD. It provides 2 sets of RCA inputs, which enable use of AUX 1 and AUX 2 (SAT) on the stock HU, either of which can be connected to any line level stereo signal, namely an IPOD mic jack using an adapter. It is not bi-directional and this is the only interface to the IPOD directly provided. The steering controls will continue to work as they did before, volume, mode, and HU power. The track/pre-set button does nothing. The SWI-X is needed to do any specific controlling of the IPOD.

2) Agreed, but the added functionality for an IPOD is very small.

3) Yup, nothing yet, nor likely to be. With the added MP3 CD capability of the 05'+, aftermarket companies seemed to have stopped trying.

4) Yes, no dock connection, no charging.

5) I too used the Belkin, as all necessary connections are on one connector, making the install cleaner. The auto-pause is a very cool feature, which will trigger the play/pause button when power is removed. It does not start to play again when power is back, you have to do it manually. Note that the mic jack provided on the Belkin is an extension of the line-out typically seen on the docking station, thus it is completely independant of the IPOD's volume level. The Belkin I used had a thumbwheel on the side for volume adjust, and I pluged my mic-RCA adapter into that. I found that for certain low frequencies, the Belkin audio circuit introduced some distortion which was volume independant. I ended up going into the Belkin with a soldering iron and bypassed the audio leads. If you're comfortable enough taking your dash apart, this is cake. This untouched line-out from the IPOD is ideal IMO for the AAI-NIS. Another note, if you use the Apple docking station as a mount, you lose the auto-pause feature, regardless of what's plugged into the other side.

6) I opted against the SWI-X, so I can't say. Really though, without the ability to display remotely, the IPOD has to be mounted within sight, and close enough to read. For driving safety, this should mean it's also close enough to touch.

Sorry for the long post. I share the frustration you seem ready to embark upon. I'm happy with what I have, but my grand plans of a motorized retractable IPOD from the cubby were eventually chucked for the practical. Good luck.

 

After some thought, perhaps I missed the application suggested by the question. So maybe you could use the remote On/Off from the AAI-NIS as the power source for the Belkin, so when the HU is switched into SAT mode, the charger is powered up and the IPOD turns on. It still will not play. When switched out of SAT it would pause and turn off after a few minutes. I haven't looked into what the specs are on the remote-on lead of the AAI-NIS, so I'm not sure it's as easy as that. It's doubtful to have been designed for the charger's load. I briefly considered something like this originally, but preferred the idea of always charging when the car is on, rather than just when I'm in SAT mode. Ok, I think I've beat the topic too much already.

 

rcdash and macgyver, thanks for your feedbacks, it clarifies a few things for me.

I just got my iPod Photo 60GB, and right now the only car accessory I have is a cassette tape adaptor. At first it was horrible - almost no sound from the right speakers. Then I ejected the "tape" and saw the head slightly dislodged; so I nudged it back to the center and now it works. But now there's a psychological effect - I sometimes wonder if i'm getting the best sound out of the cassette adaptor - maybe the cassette head is off just a bit (i.e. misaligned with the deck's head).....

I think I will end up getting the Belkin adaptor and just the AAI-NIS. Now I just need to figure out a way to securely mount the iPod ABOVE the driver side vent (since I use it I don't wanna block it), next to the extended navi screen.

By the way, I noticed that the iPod isn't really "compatible" with polarized sunglasses (but our navi screen is). I believe our iPod screen is rotated 90 degrees compared to a traditional screen.

 

I just purchased the Belkin auto charger ($40) at best buy along w/ the vent mount. Just an FYI for the vent mount for the Ipod, I just purchased the universal vent mount and although its very easy to put together and figure out, the weight of the holder plus the Ipod is usually too much to keep the holder in place. In other words the vent keeps shifting down causing the Ipod/holder and vent to slowly shift because of gravity. A fix would be to somehow make the vent stationary to prevent it from traveling down or in my case the G has 2 stationary vents (far driver side by the tweeter and passenger side by the tweeter. The drivers side vent obviously is where i mounted the holder and its just within reach to adjust tracks etc.

This is a link for the bracket...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099394930922

BTW I have a 4GB Ipod mini which is prob. lighter in weight than the larger one's some of you guys/gals may have.

 

buy a Phatbox, I have one for sale 80GB

 

I have a the Mini too, which in theory should make mounting it easier due to the size. I think that is offset by the fewer commercially available mounts specifically for the Mini. Most use a reducer leaving a giant mount with a little Mini.

That's interesting about the screen polarization. I don't have the navi, color Ipod, or polarized glasses for that matter. Have you tried holding your glasses rotated 90* while looking to confirm? Physics is fun

I ended up mounting my Mini in the cup holder in the driver's side door pocket using the Belkin cup-holder mount (Auto pod I think). The height and angle when mounted are about the same as the window controls. Visibility is very good, control access is decent, but I have to be careful not to scratch the door handle finisher with my watch due to the reach angle. I'll be honet, getting wires through the door hinge is a PITA, but there are DIY's on that for speaker wiring. I'll try to get pics tonight. It's not perfect, but for me, it was the best no compromise solution. That cup holder was useless anyway.

 

Update! I've been using the Rivet brand's GRAB since 7/17 with very satisfactory results. Check it out! I stuck the base to the left of the climate display.

 

oh and I used the Belkin adaptor and AAI-NIS kit, also with very satisfactory results. Now when i get into the car, I just click in the iPod on the mount, and stick the belkin plug onto the bottom, and i'm set, all with one hand.

 

Nice, glad to hear you found a solution that works for you .